Are you looking for fun and creative outdoor container ideas for your beautiful blooms? I’ll share how to show off your flowers by using thrift store finds as containers in the garden.
There are so many fun ways to put your thrift store finds to good use out in the garden. This whiskey barrel is a great example of adding interest and a whole lot of character to your outdoor spaces.
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Each month I join a group of amazing bloggers for a monthly DIY challenge. May’s challenge was all about the Thrift Store Find. I’m sharing how to create garden containers using vintage thrifted finds to add character and interest around the cottage garden.
**You can see all the other inspiring DIY projects at the end of this post.
Whiskey and Wine Barrels
To prevent the wood of the barrel from rotting, we built a stand inside with a round top, leaving about 12″ for dirt. Holes were drilled at the bottom of the barrel and the stand for drainage. An oil-based Varathane sealant was applied to the inside before adding dirt in order to protect the wood from rotting.
SHOP METAL CHAIRS
Galvanized Buckets and Tubs
This is one of my favorite thrift store containers for garden flowers. I love the shape. It’s a welcome change from the mostly round pieces I have.
Can you guess what the biggest question I get when I show my galvanized containers off? “How does the water drain?” We drill holes in the bottom of each piece for drainage. Make sure to drill from the outside in, to prevent jagged metal from being on the exterior of the container.
I love mixing thrift store vintage pieces such as galvanized buckets and tubs with newer ceramic planters when it comes to container gardening.
This is a garden thrift store find from a couple of years ago. It’s a box that was used to store milk at the doorstep to keep it cold after being delivered.
If you can find a galvanized hanging bucket, you’ve scored! I love having flowers hanging throughout the garden. I believe this cute planter hanging on the picket fence will be in this month’s Country Home Magazine! How fun is that?! Make sure you look for my garden in the next issue.
Hanging Baskets
This hanging basket may not be vintage but it looks the part, wouldn’t you say? I always find great iron planter boxes and hangers that need a liner before planting. Adding chicken wire to hold the coconut fiber liner in place really helped keep the dirt in place.
Vintage Tool Boxes
Here’s a vintage toolbox and iron holder that I found at a thrift store is one of my favorite pieces in the garden. Unfortunately, it’s in bad shape and will most likely need to be rebuilt next year. Fingers crossed that it will hold on until then.
Wheelbarrows
This vintage wheelbarrow belonged to one of my clients years ago. When she moved into an assisted living community, she gave it to me to enjoy in my garden. And yes…we drilled holes in the bottom of it as well. Wagons are great for displaying flowers in the garden, but they are shallow so you’ll have to be mindful of what flowers you plant inside them.
Fountains
A vintage cast iron garden fountain is an excellent place to grow your flowers, and this one will also be in Country Home Magazine this month.
Vintage Bike Baskets
Vintage bike baskets add so much character to a garden. You can even use a tricylce if you have limited outdoor space.
I hope you’ve found a couple of ideas when it comes to creating thrift store containers for garden flowers. Leave me a comment and let me know how you use your vintage pieces around the garden.
More DIY Thrift Store Find Inspiration
Are you ready to see be inspired by my friend’s thrift store finds?
Chas’ Crazy Creations | How To Paint with Chalk Paint
Grandma’s House DIY | Thrift Store Basket Makeover for Mother’s Day
Life at Bella Terra | Candlesticks to Lamps
The House on Silverado | DIY Thrift Store Farmhouse Sign Makeover
Design Morsels | Mixing Vintage Finds With Modern Decor
Kippi At Home | How to Sew a Garden Apron
Darling and Dapper Life | Farmhouse Bread Basket From A Thrift Store Find
Health Home and Heart | Thrift Store Bench Makeover
More Posts You May Enjoy…
- How to Spruce Up Your Thrifted Vintage Finds for Spring
- Thrifting in the Pacific Northwest with the Gals
- Thrifting With the Gals & My Favorite Places to Shop
- Making Our 100-Year-Old Cabinet Into the Perfect Bedroom Built-in
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SHOP FOR THE GARDEN
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- Join my Facebook Gardening Tips & Tricks Group!
So many fabulous container ideas, Kim! I always forget to look for stuff like this when I’m out treasure hunting. I love the way your pieces have their own patina and how seamlessly they fit in with the rest of your outdoor decor too. I’ll definitely be using some of these ideas. Thanks so much for the inspiration! Hugs, CoCo
What a gorgeous with so many great ideas! I especially love the square galvanized tub, the bike basket and the wheelbarrow. Plants just have so much more intrigue when they’re paired with something vintage. Such a pleasure hopping with you!
Oh my goodness, Kim. Your gardens are A-MAZ-ING. Every time I came to the next idea, I would think “Oh, this is my favorite one so far.” Then, I would see the next one and think, “Oh no, THIS is my favorite.” And so on and so forth. Ha! Love them all! Thanks for sharing! Very inspiring.
Wow, Kim, your garden is a delight for the eyes! There are so many lovely and interesting things to look at it! Thanks for sharing all of your unique planting containers with us. I am coming away with some great inspiration!
Niky @ The House on Silverado
This is amazing Kim! You found such fun items and of course used them to display in your lovely gardens. Perfect! So fun to see what you created friend. Thanks for sharing and wonderful hopping with you
OMG Kim this post was SO inspiring I just can’t wait for spring to really arrive so I can get some of my containers planted too, love all of yours!
Kim, what fabulous ideas for flower containers! You are so creative and each one is just lovely. Makes me want to find an old bike to put near my garden! Thanks for sharing all your unique ideas. Your garden is truly drool worthy. Happy hopping with you!
I could never get tired of looking at your garden. Your home feels like living inside a magazine. I love your barrel filled with flowers and the bike even more. So happy to be hopping with you today.
Kim, what delightful displays! I am thinking you should charge for people to see your amazing gardens! I can’t wait to follow along as it blooms and grows this summer! We would love to have had you here with us in Florida! Maybe next time!